Overfeed and internal expander for fabric in tubular form



Aug. 1, 1950 F c. WEDLER 2,517,067

OVERFEED ANb INTERNAL EXPANDER FOR FABRIC IN TUBULAR FORM Filed March28, 1947 w waxeawaqww INVEN TOR.. FREDERICK C. WEDL ER t atented Aug. 1,195i) OVERFEED AND INTERNAL EXPANDER FOR FABRIC IN TUBULAR FORMFrederick C. Wedler, Swarthmore, Pa., assignor to American ViscoseCorporation, Wilmington, DeL, a corporation of Delaware ApplicationMarch 28, 1947, Serial No. 737,972

12 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for spreading and stretchingfabrics in tubular form. More particularly this invention relates to anapparatus for uniformly spreading and stretching fabrics which are to beprocessed and finished in the tubular form.

Various types of apparatus have been previously suggested for spreadingand stretching fabric in tubular form. However it was found that theydid not feed the fabric uniformly and as a result the spreading andstretching of the fabric was not uniform.

This invention has for its principal object to provide an apparatus foruniformly spreading and Stretching fabric in tubular form.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for uniformlyfeeding and spreading and stretching fabric in tubular form.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means forgripping and evenly moving a tubular form of fabric over a stretcher.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention Figure 2 is a sectional View of the embodiment of theinvention shown in Figure 1, taken along the line 11-11 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

Figure 4 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5a is a side elevation View of the apparatus shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 is a top View of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 6 takenalong the line VII-VII in Figure 6.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 of the drawingcomprises the continuous belt-like members i and 2 of relatively thickflexible, resilient, compressible material such as sponge rubber or .afabric having a relatively thick, resilient nap. The belt-like membersare mounted to travel over the substantially parallel rollers oncylindrical members 3, i and 5, E. The rollers are so positioned thatthe adjacent portions of the belts passing between the rollers are incontact substantially throughout. The rollers 3 and 5 are positivelydrivenso that the adjashown by the arrow in Figure 1. If desired therollers ll and 6 may also be positively driven. The means for spreadingthe tubular fabric comprises a relatively flat, sheet-like stretchermember having at least a portion of the width to which it is desired tostretch the tubular fabric. The stretcher member 1 is positioned betweenthe adjacent portions of the belt-like members I and 2, between thepairs of rollers 3, 5 and a, t and the tubular fabric is passed over it.The stretcher member I and the belt-like members I and 2 are of such athickness that the belt-like members firmly engage substantially allportions of the tubular fabric passing over the flat surfaces and theside portions of the stretcher member. The belt-like members advance orfeed all portions of the tubular fabric at a uniform rate over thestretcher member so that the tubular fabric is uniformly stretched andshaped throughout its length. The tubular fabric is not pulled over thestretcher as was done in the prior art. In the present invention thetubular fabric is gripped by the resilient and compressible blankets andmoved over the stretcher by this gripping action at the same speed asthe belts. One of the roller members is mounted so that it may be liftedto enable the spreader means to be inserted between the belt membersprior to stretching. In this way various size stretchers may be employedin the present invention.

Several problems are present in the design of the Spreaders. It isdesirable that the fabric move at substantially the same rate on allsides of the spreader. Inthe present invention this is accomplished bythe flexible belt-like members that travel at the same rate and lightlyengage the fabric with the same force on all sides. An-

- other problem is to provide a means for retaintion between therollers.

ing the spreader in substantially the same posi- Several methods ofperforming the latter are utilized in the present invention.

A preferred embodiment of the means used to hold the spreader l inposition between the endless belt-like members i and 2 is illustrated inFigure 3. In this mbodiment the spreader is composed of a magneticmaterial or a non-magnetic material with a magnctizable insert. Thespreader extends longitudinally from one end of th belt-like members andprojects over a magnetic pole piece 9 which due to its magnetic fieldrestrains the spreader from moving between the belt-like members. Themagnet employed in the present invention may be of the permanent or ofthe electromagnetic type. The electromagnet preferably operates on thesame circuit as the one which drives the belt-like members. Thesemagnetic plates may be either on one or both sides of the longitudinallyextending portion of the spreader l. The main consideration in the useof a magnetic type holder is that it is of such strength that it willrestrain any forward movement of the spreader as the tubular fabricpasses over the spreader. The spreaders employed in the variations ofthe present invention may be of any desired shape. They are constructedso that they increase in width as the fabric is fed on them by thetravel of the belts or blankets.

Another means for holding the spreader is illustrated in Figure 4 inwhich napped fabric belts are shown. A longitudinally extending portionl9 of the spreader is flared. The revolvable pulleys ii and i2 mountedon the vertical axes engage the spreader in the arcuate portions i3.

and it between. the body of the spreader and the flared portion thereofand retain the spreader in position.

Another modification of the present invention is illustrated in Figure5. In this embodiment the longitudinally extending portion iii of thespreader projec s to two nip rolls iii. These rolls are spaced so thatthe distance between them is just enough to adm't the tubular fabric buttoo narrow to allow the spreader to pass through. In this embodiment itis important that the trans verse edges of the extending portion 35 berounded off to prevent any possibility of the spreader being pulledthrough the nip rolls. Another modification of the present invent'on isillustrated in Figures 6 and 7. In this embodiment the driving rollersii and id have a spaced portion of less diameter than their outerdiameters and as shown, the spreader is placed therebetiveen. Thespreader is flared as shown by reference character E to such a size thatit is greater in width than the spaced portion having a. smallerdiameter on the driving rollers. This indenture on the driving rollersallows the tubular fabric to pass through but restrains the spreaderfrom passing therebetween. However the main reason for the differentdiameter rollers is to insure an even pressure on all sides of thefabric. By having the rollers indented to substantially one half thethickness of the spreader the resilient and compressible belts arecompressed a like amount throughout and there is no undue compression ofthe belts in the vicinity of the stretcher. This embodiment of thepresent invention insures longer life of the belt and a more evenspreading and stretching action on the tubular fabric.

The forms of apparatus shown spread and stretch the fabric in successivestages. As the fabric passes over the spreader between the fiesibleblankets it is spread open and stretched. This spreading and stretchingis gradual, starting at a minimum when it first goes on the spreader andincreasing to a maximum as it leaves the spreader and continues onwardfor further treat ment. By using the flexible blankets embodied in thepresent invention the fabric is assured of being stretched and spreaduniformly without danger of catching or snagging as Was frequently thecase in the prior art which used combinations of rollers to guide thefabric over the spreader.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown, it isunderstood that changes and variations may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

I claim: a

1. Apparatus for spreading and stretching fabric in tubular formcomprising two continuous belt-like members of sponge rubber havingportions in opposing relationship, and flat spreader means positionedbetween the belt-like members,

and the fiat surfaces thereof facing and in contact with opposingsurfaces of the belt-like members.

2. Apparatus for spreading and stretching fabric in tubular formcomprising contnuous beltlike members of compressible resilient materialhaving portions in contacting and opposing relationshp, spaced rollersfor mounting said beltlike members, fiat spreader means positionedbetween the belt-lilre members, and the flat surfaces thereof facing andin contact with opposing surfaces of the belt-like members, and niprolls at one end of the belt-litre members for positioning andrestraining movement of said spreader means.

3. Apparatus for spreading and stretching fabric in tubular formcomprising continuous beltlike memb:rs of compressible resilientmaterial having portions n contacting and opposing relationship,superposed roller members for mountin said belt-like members, spreadermeans positioned between the belt-like members, sa d roller membershaving portions of different diameters, the port'ons adjacent thecenters being of smaller diameter than the portions adjacent the ends,and said spreader means having a portion extending between the smallerportions of the roller l members and an enlarged section of the spreaderretained by the enlarged ends of the rollers.

4. Apparatus for spreading and stretching tubular fabric comprising twocontinuous belts of compressible resilient material having portions inopposing relationship outside of and entirely enclosing a path traversedby the fabric along a portion of its length, a rigid spreader memberbetween the belts so that it is positioned within the fabric duringspreading operations, said belts being juxtaposed to press the fabricagainst the opposite surfaces of the member, and means for retaining themember in its position relative to the belts.

5:. Apparatus for spreading and stretching fabric in tubular formcomprising two continuous belts of heavy napped material having portionsin opposing relationship outside of and entirely enclosing a pathtraversed by the fabric along a portion of its length, a rigid spreadermember between the belts so that it is positioned within the fabricduring spreading operations, said belts being juxtaposed to press thefabric against the opposite surfaces of the member, and means forretaining the member in its position relative to the belts.

6. Apparatus for spreading and stretching fabric in tubular formcomprising two continuous belts of compressible resilient materialhaving portions in opposing relationship outside of and entirelyenclosing a path traversed by the fabric along a portion of its length,roller means for mountin the belts, a rigid spreader member between thebelts so that it is positioned within the fabric during spreadingoperations, said belts being juxtaposed to press fabric against theopposite surfaces of the members, and means for retainin the member inits position relative to the belts.

7- Avpa o sp adin and s r chi fabric in tubular form comprising twocontinuous belts of compressible resilient material having portions inopposing relationship outside of and entirel enclosing a path traversedby the fabric along a portion of its length, roller means for mountingand driving the belts, a rigid spreader member between the belts so thatit is positioned within the fabric during spreading operations, saidbelts being juxtaposed to press the fabric against the opposite surfacesof the member, and means for retaining the member in its positionrelative to the belts.

8. Apparatus for spreading and stretching fabric in tubular formcomprising two continuous belts of compressible resilient materialhaving portions in opposing and contacting relationship outside of andentirely enclosing a path traversed by the fabric along a portion of itslength, means for mounting the belts, a rigid spreader member betweenthe belts so that it is positioned within the fabric during spreadingoperations, said belts being juxtaposed to press the fabric against theopposite surfaces of the members, and means for retaining the member inits position relative to the belts.

9. Apparatus for spreading and stretching fabric in tubular formcomprising continuous belts of compressible resilient material havingportions in opposing and contacting relationship outside of and entirelyenclosing a path traversed by the fabric along a portion of its length,roller means for supporting and driving the belts, a rigid spreadermember between the belts so that it is positioned within the fabricduring spreading operations, said belts being juxtaposed to press thefabric against the opposite surfaces of the members, and means forretaining the member in its position relative to the belts.

10. Apparatus for spreading and stretching fabric in tubular formcomprising continuous belts of compressible resilient material havingportions in opposing and contacting relationship outside of and entirelyenclosing a path traversed by the fabric along a portion of its length,spaced rollers for supporting said belts, a rigid spreader memberbetween the belts so that it is positioned within the fabric duringspreading operations, said member having transversely spaced arcuatelyrecessed portions, and pulley-like members mounted to engage thearcuately recessed portions of the member so as to retain the member inits position relative to the belts.

11. Apparatus for spreading and stretching tubular fabric comprising twocontinuous belts of compressible resilient material having portions inopposing and contacting relationship outside of and entirely enclosing apath traversed by the fabric along a portion of its length, a rigidspreader member between the belts so that it is positioned within thefabric during spreading operations, said belts being juxtaposed to pressthe fabric against the opposite surfaces of the member, means forretainin the member in its position relative to the belts, and means fordriving the belts.

12. Apparatus for spreading and stretching fabric in tubular formcomprising continuous belt-like members of compressible resilientmaterial having portions in contacting and opposing relationship, spacedroller members for mounting said belt-like members, flat spreader meanscomprising a magnetic material positioned between the belt-like membersand the flat surfaces thereof facing and in contact with opposingsurfaces of the belt-like members, and a stationary magnet in closelyspaced relation to the spreader.

FREDERICK C. WEDLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France Sept. 30, 1935

